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Heart Disease – Cardiovascular Disease

It is known that the vast majority of premature deaths in the western world could be prevented.

The diseases that kill us (high blood pressure, heart attacks, cancer) are not pre-programmed into our genes. For most of the leading causes of death, our genes usually account for only 10–20% of risk.

The other 80-90% of risk relates to our diet and lifestyle. The typical Western diet is the number one cause of premature death and the number-one cause of disability. Another way of framing this statistic is that a long and healthy life is largely a matter of choice.

It seems to be little more than a modern day catch phrase but methylation is a vitally important process that happens inside each of us. Whether this pathway is working optimally or is under or over performing can dramatically impact our health and the possible development of an alarming amount of diseases.

Methylation is responsible for many of the most complex and vital processes in the body. The methylation pathways can be found to occur in each cell as well as the liver and the fluid supplying the brain, impacting every system in the body.

Methylation helps determine who we are, what we look like, and how we behave yet even more importantly, it is central to our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Without methylation, we could not survive.

It might seem counter-intuitive, but frying with butter or lard is healthier than frying with vegetable oil according to recent conclusions from a British study.

In results that threaten to turn on its head official advice that oils rich in polyunsaturated fats – such as corn oil and sunflower oil – are better for the health than the saturated fats in animal products, recent experiments have determined that vegetable oil when cooked at high temperatures releases toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other diseases.

It’s a contentious topic that has its supporters on both side of the fence. However fasting, in its various modes has a plethora of clinical studies to back up its introduction in reducing the signs and symptoms of a variety of conditions.

With demonstrated improvements in brain activity, cardiovascular system, mood, chronic pain conditions and gut health, sensible and supervised fasting can not be ruled out as a valid treatment adjunct in a number of conditions.

In a honest and insightful article, journalist Elisa Black chronicled her journey with anxiety.

With a life- long experience of crippling anxiety and poor outcomes with a number of treatments, Black discovered the cause – a genetic mutation of the MTHFR gene.

Ongoing research implicates MTHFR genetic mutations for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Supplementing with specific B vitamins could go part of the way in modulating the expression of the MTHFR gene.

The Dieticians Association of Australia (DAA) has responded with vehemence against Pete Evans’ backing of the Paleo Diet. Labelled as potentially dangerous the DAA has made firm its stance against Australians following the Paleo lifestyle.

Yet Paleo advocates, of whom celebrity chef Pete Evans has become the public face, have returned criticism with questioning the agenda of DAA.

The DAA has yet to convince many people of its objections. Due to a possible conflict of interest in the DAA guidelines via its corporate sponsors of which Nestle, Unilever and Kellogs are included, the Paleo diet remains a valid lifestyle that can bring health and vitality to many people.

Previously Nitric Oxide (NO) use has been confined to the body building world but new research suggests that its effect on cardiovascular health could take it out of the gyms and make it an essential in your daily supplement regime.

Nitric Oxide is now being used to treat a variety of conditions such as hypertension, insomnia, obesity, diabetes and sexual problems.

It is because of these abilities that NO is touted to be the next miracle cure on the shelf.

Adequate Essential Fatty Acid intake can protect against a range of conditions, and in this study, researchers have shown that supplementing with omega-3's can actually help prevent cellular ageing and as a result, can help you live longer.

Two important articles have been released that indicate vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for heart disease with lower levels of vitamin D being associated with a higher presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

The research results suggest vitamin D deficiency to be the cause rather than the consequence of atherosclerosis.

The findings from this research support that people will benefit from vitamin D supplementation, a diet containing vitamin D rich foods and moderate exercise to reduce the risk in developing heart disease.

Consuming too much alcohol is bad for your heart and arteries, according to a recent study.

It’s well known that over-indulging in alcohol can give you a beer belly, however the results of this study show that drinking heavily can cause high blood pressure, stiff arteries and rigid heart muscles – all dangerous conditions that could lead to fatal heart attacks and strokes.

Exercise as a positive and powerful health intervention has never been more important given the explosive increase in disease states which are related to under-activity such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer.

Heart disease may be the leading killer of men and women but that doesn’t mean you can’t protect yourself.

You don’t need to be an athlete to have good cardiovascular health – by incorporating moderate exercises into your weekly routine you will significantly reduce your chances of having a cardiovascular disease.

This an important article for all those who take statin drugs. Results of the Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study (JELIS), firstpresented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions,have now been published.

Statin drugs are sold under a variety of names including Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin) and Pravachol (pravastatin). If you take one of these drugs, you should also use a fish oil to reduce your chance of a ‘major coronary event’.

The benefits of whey protein on lean muscle mass and weight loss arewell documented, however a new research study has shown amazing newadvantages of whey protein for heart health.

Conducted byGlanbia Nutritionals, this randomised, double-blind study has shownthat a whey-protein-rich ingredient may improve blood vessel function inhealthy individuals. This is a major step forward in the battle againstincreasing rates of heart attacks and disease plaguing many Australians.

A new Australian study has revealed that for every hour of sedentary time you partake in everyday, the risk of dying earlier from cardiovascular disease or cancer increases. This interesting new research offers an insight into how deeply a sedentary, unhealthy can affect our bodies – however, it’s not too late to change your tune.

Aspirin has long been hailed as an effective, low-cost way to prevent a heart attack or stroke. By thinning the blood, aspirin is thought to be a safe preventative measure against deadly cardiovascular events.

A new study has defied these beliefs by revealing a daily dose of aspirin may be doing more harm than good. The research has shown that regular use of aspirin doesn’t actually confer to heart attack prevention. In fact, the study participants taking aspirin experienced more heart attacks than the placebo group, as well as experiencing high rates of serious internal bleeds.